Mobile communication terminal, method for controlling execution state of application program, application program, and recording medium wherein application program has been recorded

ABSTRACT

In the mobile telephone  1  relating to the present invention, a control section  2  performs control for switching between a non-active state which refuses inputs to an application program, and a rest state in which the application program is temporarily halted. The control section  2  performs control for switching the execution state of the application program from the non-active state to the rest state, in accordance with instructions from an input section  3 . The control section  2  further performs control for switching the execution state of the application program from the non-active state to the rest state, in accordance with a function contained in an application program.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile communications terminal,application program execution state control method, application program,and storage medium storing application programs.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, resident application programs have been developed asapplication programs which can be executed on a mobile communicationsterminal, principally mobile telephones. A resident application programis automatically started up when the power supply is turned on, and itcontinues in an active state until the power supply is switched off oruntil the user shuts it down. Examples of residential applicationprograms include, for example, application programs for displaying astandby screen for awaiting a telephone call or incoming electronic mail(hereinafter, called “standby screen”).

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

However, a resident application may also be executed for a long periodof time and use moving image data. In cases of this kind, the powerconsumption of the mobile communications terminal is particularly high.Therefore, if the application program is temporarily closed down inorder to reduce power consumption, then in order to restart theapplication, an operation performed by the user for selecting andexecuting the application, and time, are required. Moreover, thetemporarily closed down application program does not reflect theexecution state when it was closed down, but rather, specific operationsand time are also required in order to return it to the display screenwhen it was closed down.

In order to resolve these problems, a method has been devised wherein apower saving state (sleep state) is assigned to the OS (OperatingSystem) of the mobile communications terminal, and the execution stateof the application program is controlled. However, if the executionstate is controlled via the OS, it may occur that the applicationprogram halts or terminates irrespectively of the execution state.Therefore, in some cases, it may not be possible to execute the actualprocessing of the application program. Furthermore, if the applicationprogram is transferred to a power saving state by the OS, then there isno way for the application program to restore itself independently.

The present invention was devised in view of the foregoing, an objectthereof being to provide a mobile communications terminal, applicationprogram execution state control method, application program and storagemedium storing an application program whereby power consumption can bereduced whilst maintaining usability.

The mobile communications terminal relating to the present invention ischaracterized in comprising control means for performing control forswitching between a normal execution state of an application program,and a rest state in which said application program is temporarilyhalted.

The application program execution state control method relating to thepresent invention is an application program execution state controlmethod whereby a mobile communications terminal controls the executionstate of an application program stored in said mobile communicationsterminal, characterized in comprising a control step for performingcontrol, whereby the mobile communications terminal switches between anormal execution state of said application program, and a rest state inwhich said application program is temporarily halted.

The application program relating to the present invention is anapplication program which is executed in a mobile communicationsterminal and the execution state of which is controlled by said mobilecommunications terminal, characterized in comprising functions forswitching between a normal execution state of said application programand a rest state in which said application being executed is temporarilyhalted.

According to these inventions, control is executed for switching betweena normal execution state and a rest state for temporarily halting theapplication program. Since an application program in a rest state is notclosed down, it can be returned to a normal execution state withoutrequiring labour for restarting the application. Moreover, in the reststate, the power consumption of the mobile communications terminal islower than in a normal execution state. Consequently, it is possible toreduce power consumption whilst maintaining the usability of the mobilecommunications terminal.

Furthermore, in contrast to control implemented via the OS, theexecution state of the resident application is controlled in accordancewith a function contained in the resident application itself. Therefore,the resident application is not halted or closed down, irrespectively ofthe execution state thereof. Moreover, in contrast to a case where theapplication is transferred to a power saving state by the OS, it ispossible for the resident application to return from the rest state,independently.

Desirably, the mobile communications terminal relating to the presentinvention further comprises instructing means for instructing a statetransition between said normal execution state and said rest state, saidcontrol means executing control for switching the execution state ofsaid application program between the normal execution state and the reststate, in accordance with said instructions from said instructing means.

Desirably, the application program execution state control methodrelating to the present invention further comprises an instructing stepfor instructing a state transition of said mobile communicationsterminal between said normal execution state and said rest state, and insaid control step, control is executed for switching the execution stateof said application program between the normal execution state and therest state, in accordance with said instructions from said instructingstep.

Desirably, the application program relating to the present inventioncomprises functions for switching the execution state between the normalexecution state and the rest state, on the basis of state transitioninstructions input between a normal execution state and a rest state.

According to these inventions, it is possible for the user readily totransfer the execution state of an application program, by means of asimple operation, such as pressing a switch key, or the like. In otherwords, it is possible readily to perform switching of the applicationprogram between an execution state having low power composition and anexecution state having high power consumption, whilst maintaining anexecution state in which the basic telephone functions, such as callorigination processing, and the like, can be used instantly.Consequently, it is possible to achieve a carefully conceivedenergy-saving telephone which matches the desires of the user, whilstmaintaining the convenience of use of the mobile communicationsterminal.

Desirably, the mobile communications terminal relating to the presentinvention is characterized in that said control means performs controlfor switching the execution state of said application program betweenthe normal execution state and the rest state in accordance with afunction contained in said application program.

Desirably, the application program execution control method relating tothe present invention is characterized in that, in said control step,control is executed for switching the execution state of saidapplication program between a normal execution state and a rest state,in accordance with a function contained in said application program.

According to these inventions, it is not necessary for the user toperform operations for switching the mobile communications terminalbetween an execution state in which an application program can be usedinstantly, and an execution state having low power consumption.Therefore, it is possible to prevent wasteful power consumption of themobile communications terminal over a long period of time, even in caseswhere the user has not instructed a transfer to the rest state.

Furthermore, if a storage medium storing an application program asdescribed above is sold or distributed, independently or as a peripheralproduct, then it is possible to implement the execution state controltechnology relating to the present invention, inexpensively, over abroad range.

Desirably, the mobile communications terminal relating to the presentinvention is characterized in that, in said rest state, said controlmeans allows execution of a native application which is different tosaid application.

Desirably, the execution state application program relating to thepresent invention is characterized in that said control step allowsexecution of a native application that is different to said application.

By this means, it is possible for the user to use the basic telephone,mail and browsing functions of the mobile communications terminal,appropriately, even if the application program is in a rest state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of a mobiletelephone;

FIG. 2 is a state transition diagram showing the execution statetransmission processing;

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of a display screen before keyinput in an active state;

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example of a display screen after keyinput in an active state;

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of a display screen before keyinput in a non-active state;

FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of a display screen after keyinput in a non-active state;

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of a display screen beforetransition to a rest state;

FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of a display screen aftertransition to a rest state;

FIG. 6 is a compositional diagram of a storage medium; and

FIG. 7 is a compositional diagram of a computer system.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Below, embodiments of the present invention are described with referenceto the accompanying drawings. Firstly, the composition of the inventionwill be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functionalcomposition of a mobile telephone 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobiletelephone 1 (corresponding to a mobile communications terminal), isconstituted by a control section 2 (corresponding to control means), aninput section 3 (corresponding to instruction means), a RAM 4, a displaysection 5, a memory section 6, a radio communications section 7, and avoice processing section 8, each section being connected via a bus 9 insuch a manner that various types of signals can be input and output toand from same.

The control section 2 has a built in ROM (Read Only Memory) 2 a, reads aprogram previously stored in the ROM 2 a, opens it into the RAM 4, andcontrols each section centrally in accordance with the program. In otherwords, the control section 2 executes various types of processing inaccordance with input signal from the input section 3 and the programopened in the RAM 4, and the results of this processing are storedtemporarily in the RAM 4 and also displayed on the display section 5.The processing results stored in the RAM 4 are also stored in aprescribed region of the memory section 6, according to requirements.

The input section 3 comprises various operating keys which instructoperations, such as switching on of the power supply, selection andexecution of an application program, switching to a execution state, asdescribed hereinafter, setting a rest time, as described hereinafter, orthe like, and each of these respective operating keys outputs an inputsignal corresponding to the instruction content, to the control section2, by means of the keys being pressed independently or jointly.

The RAM (Random Access Memory) 4 is constituted by a semiconductor, orthe like, and temporarily stores programs read from the ROM 2 a or dataread from the memory section 6, in each of the various processesexecuted by the control section 2. For example, when executing theexecution state transition processing described hereinafter, the RAM 4stores data relating to the rest time and time settings specified by thecontrol section 2. Moreover, the RAM 4 stores the display data whentransfer to the rest state, described hereinafter.

The display section 5 is constituted by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)or EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or the like, and displays displaydata in a prescribed region in accordance with signals input from thecontrol section 2. The display data is data used as the applicationprogram is executed, and it includes not only static image data, butalso moving image data for elements such as a stock price board, games,or the like.

The memory section 6 is constituted by a volatile semiconductor memory,such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM), or thelike, and it stores data required by the control section 2 in order toexecute various processes, and data generated as a result of executingprocesses, and the like. Moreover, the memory section 6 storesapplication programs 61 and ADFs (Attribute Definition Files), in amutually corresponding fashion. An ADF is a file consisting of datarelating to the attributes of an application program 61. The datarelating to attributes is, for example, data indicating that theapplication program 61 has an execution state transition function (MyConcierge key). The application program 61 may be stored in a storagemedium, such as an IC card, or the like, which can be inserted into andremoved from the mobile telephone 1.

The radio communications section 7 is a circuit having a modulating anddemodulating section (not illustrated) for modulating and demodulatingsignals, and an encoding and decoding section (not illustrated) forencoding and decoding signals, and it is also provided with an antenna 7a. The antenna 7 a is provided in an extendable and retractable fashionwith respect to the upper part of the casing of the mobile telephone 1,and it sends and receives data to and from a base station B.

When receiving, the modulating and demodulating section performsprocessing for demodulating signals input via the antenna 7 a, intosignal which can be processed by the encoding and decoding section. Onthe other hand, when transmitting, it performs processing for modulatingdigital signals converted by the encoding and decoding section intosignal which can be transmitted by radio waves. Moreover, the encodingand decoding section is constituted by a codec, and when receiving, itperforms processing (decoding) for converting digital signals input fromthe modulating and demodulating section into analogue signals. On theother hand, when transmitting, it performs processing (encoding) forconverting analogue signals, such as voice signals, into digitalsignals, and compressing the converted digital signals into a datavolume that is suitable for transmission.

The voice processing section 8 comprises a converter and an amplifier,and the like, and is also provided with a microphone 8 a, and speaker 8b. During a call, the voice processing section 8 converts voice datainput via the control section 2 into an analogue signal, by means of theconverter, passes the signal via the amplifier and emits it from thespeaker 8 b. Furthermore, during a call, the voice processing section 8converts a voice signal input via the microphone 8 a into a digitalsignal suitable for radio transmission, by means of the converter, andoutputs the converted signal to the radio communications section 7.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 2. As a basic premise in the description of theoperation, in order to distinguish clearly between an applicationprogram having an execution state transition function, and anapplication program for realizing basic functions of the mobiletelephone 1 (telephone function, mail function, browsing function, andthe like), the former is called “resident application” and the latter iscalled “native application”.

FIG. 2 is a state transition diagram for describing the execution statetransition processing. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile telephone 1 isswitchable between three execution states of the resident application,namely, non-active state, active state and rest state. Moreover, thenon-active state and active state are together termed “normal executionstates”.

The non-active state is an execution state which rejects key inputs tothe resident application. These inputs include indirect inputs made byselecting software keys displayed on the display section 5. In thenon-active state, the resident application performs display operationsand data transmission and reception, updating, and the like, by means ofradio communications, similarly to a conventional standby screen.Moreover, these display operations also include updating of displaydata. Furthermore, in the non-active state, processing for reception ofkey events (process commands implemented by the control section 2 on thebasis of key inputs) and display of software keys is not performed bythe resident application, but is only performed by the nativeapplication.

The active state is an execution state which permits key inputs to theresident application. In the active state, the resident applicationexecutes all processing in order to realize the functions thereof. Inother words, in the active state, processing for reception of key eventsand display of software keys, and the like, is executed by the residentapplication only.

Furthermore, it is possible to implement a setting whereby, in theactive state, if a signal is received indicating reception of a mail bythe mobile telephone 1 from the base station B, then the nativeapplication only displays on the display section 5 a pictogramindicating that a mail has been received, but does not perform receptionof the mail contents from the mail server.

The rest state is an execution state where the resident application ishalted temporarily. In the rest state, the resident application waitsfor a key event which indicates transition to a non-active state oractive state. In other words, in the rest state, the residentapplication does not execute any processing, such as reception of keyevents, display operations, or the like, except for a state transmissioninstruction, and processing is executed by the native application only.The display operations include updating of display data. For example, ina resident application displaying an animated standby screen, or thelike, the display data during rest state becomes static image data, andthe application functions only as a wallpaper display. Therefore, themobile telephone 1 is able to achieve lower power consumption than inthe non-active state. In the rest state, software such as KVM (K VirtualMachine) and JAM (Java Application Manager), and the like, of theresident application also halts.

Moreover, in the rest state, if a signal is received indicatingreception of a mail from base station B by the mobile telephone 1, thenthe native application is able to receive the contents of the mailautomatically from the mail server. In this way, by applying adifference to the operation of the native application when a signalindicating reception of a mail is received from base station B, in theactive state and the rest state, it is possible to prevent execution ofa resident application from being obstructed each that time a mail isreceived, when a resident application, such as a game, or the like, hasbeen activated, and furthermore, it is possible to receive mailautomatically when the game, or the like, has been interrupted and theresident application, or the like, is in a rest state.

Below the execution state transition processing is described in detail.Firstly, when the execution of a resident application is instructed viathe input section 3, then the control section 2 reads out and starts upthe resident application from the memory section 6 (S1). Upon startingup, a notification indicating that the application is a residentapplication having an execution state transition function is sent to thecontrol section 2. This notification processing is performed by means ofthe control section 2 consulting the My Concierge key of the ADF storedin the memory section 6.

The resident application may be started up automatically when the mobiletelephone 1 has entered a standby state (hereinafter, called “standbystart-up”). This standby start-up is only executed when the ADF containsa My Concierge key and the standby setting has been made on the menu.

In the present embodiment, an application for displaying a moving imagestandby screen is supposed as the resident application, and theexecution state immediately after start-up is taken to be a non-activestate (S2).

The state transition from non-active state to active state (T1) isexecuted by the control section 2 on the basis of an execution stateswitching instruction from the input section 3. Thereby, the user isable readily to cause the resident application to transfer from anon-active state to an active state, by means of a simple operation,such as pressing a switch key, or the like. In other words, it ispossible readily to implement switching of the resident application toan execution state which permits input, whilst maintaining the nativeapplication in an execution state in which it is immediately usable.Moreover, the state transition in T1 may be executed by the controlsection 2 in accordance with a function contained in the residentapplication.

Furthermore, the processing implemented consecutively after the statetransition in T1 is as follows. This processing includes, for example,display of a ticker (indicator board with flowing and flashing text),playing back of media resources, such as sound and images, and the like,operation of a timer, HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)communications, access to a scratch pad (region where data created by anapplication or data received via the network is saved), operation of thevibrator, switching on and off of the backlight, and the like.

The state transition (T2) from active state to non-active state isperformed automatically by the control section 2 on the basis of afunction (for example, “deactivate”) contained in the residentapplication. For example, since a resident application for displaying ananimated standby screen, or the like, has a low input frequency incomparison to the monitoring frequency, it is suitable for thisapplication to continue in a non-active state unless the user executes aswitching instruction. On the other hand, in the case of a nativeapplication, the input frequency is generally higher than that of aresident application, and therefore it is suitable for the active stateof a native application to be continued as long as possible. Therefore,key inputs to a native application are treated preferentially, byautomatically switching the execution state of the resident applicationfrom an active state to a non-active state. The state transitionillustrated in T2 may be performed by the control section 2 on the basisof an execution state switching instruction from the input section 3.

The processing that is continuously executed even after the statetransition in T2, includes, for example, display of a ticker, playingback of media resources, such as sound and images, and the like,operation of a timer, HTTP communications, access to a scratch pad,operation of the vibrator, switching on of the backlight, switching offof the backlight, and the like.

The state transition from a non-active state to a rest state (T3) isexecuted automatically by the control section 2, on the basis of afunction (for example, “sleep”) contained in the resident application.In the rest state, the display screen shown at the time of the statetransition from non-active state to rest state is displayed continuouslyon the display section 5. In other words, the display data in the reststate is static image data, which does not change over time. Moreover,the state transition at T3 can be performed by control section 2 on thebasis of an execution state switching instruction from the input section3.

The processing halted by the resident application after the statetransition in T3 is as described below. Specifically, the operationswhich are halted are the display of the ticker scroll section (thedisplay of the ticker itself continues), the playing back of mediaresources, operation of the timer, and operation of the vibrator.Furthermore, HTTP communications are disconnected. During writing ofdata to the scratchpad, the state transfers to a rest state afterwriting has completed. During reading of data from the scratchpad, thestate transfers directly to a rest state. The switching on and switchingoff of the backlight are conducted similarly to a non-active state. Inother words, if the backlight was switched on in the non-active statethen it will remain turned on, and if the backlight was switched off inthe non-active state, then it will remain turned off.

The state transition (T4) from rest state to non-active state isexecuted by the control section 2 when a prescribed condition issatisfied. In the case that the mobile telephone 1 is a folding type orflip-type portable phone, then the prescribed condition is the operationof opening the call section of the casing. Alternatively, the conditionmay be the elapsing of a rest time (for example, 5 minutes) set in theactive state, or the reaching of a set time (for example, 17:00)according to the timer, or the like. The control section 2 holds theprogram code of the resident application that was already being executedwhen the state was transferred to the rest state. Therefore, in the caseof a state transition from the rest state to the non-active state,processing for reading again from the start of the program code is notrequired. As a result of this, the time required to revert to theresident application is shortened compared to cases where thetemporarily halted resident application is restarted. It is alsopossible for the state transition at T4 to be executed by the controlsection 2 in accordance with a function contained in the residentapplication. Alternatively, the state transition at T4 may be executedby the control section 2 on the basis of an execution state switchinginstruction from the input section 3.

The detailed behaviour of the resident application after the statetransition at T4 is as follows. Namely, in a ticker display, thescrolling text will restart from the display state which was halted whenthe execution state was transferred. In HTTP communications, thecommunications are restarted. If exception processing was generated whenthe communications were disconnected, then execution is restarted fromthe exception processing. The scratchpad reverts to a state wherewriting and reading of data can be performed. A vibrator operationhalted by a rest state is not restarted automatically. Playing back ofmedia resources and timer operation are not restarted. Switching on andswitching off of the backlight are conducted similarly to the reststate. In other words, if the backlight was switched on in the reststate, then it remains switched on, and if the backlight was switchedoff in the rest state, then it remains switched off.

The state transition from rest state to active state (T5) is executed bythe control section 2 on the basis of an execution state switchinginstruction from the input section 3. The control section 2 holds theprogram code of the resident application that was already executed whenthe transition to rest state was made in the RAM 4. Therefore, when thestate transition from the rest state to the active state is made,processing for reading out again from the start of the program code isnot necessary. As a result of this, the time required to revert to theresident application is shortened compared to cases where thetemporarily halted resident application is restarted. Moreover, thestate transition at T5 may also be executed by the control section 2 inaccordance with a function contained in the resident application.

The detailed behaviour of the resident application after the statetransition at T5 is as follows. Namely, in a ticker display, thescrolling text will restart from the display state which was halted whenthe execution state was transferred. In HTTP communications, thecommunications are restarted. If exception processing was generated whenthe communications were disconnected, then execution is restarted fromthe exception processing. The scratchpad reverts to a state wherewriting and reading of data can be performed. A vibrator operationhalted by a rest state is not restarted automatically. Playing back ofmedia resources and timer operation are not restarted. Switching on andswitching off of the backlight are conducted similarly to the reststate. In other words, if the backlight was switched on in the reststate, then it remains switched on, and if the backlight was switchedoff in the rest state, then it remains switched off.

The resident application does not make a state transition from theactive state to the rest state for the following reasons. Namely, whenthe resident application performs an execution state transition, then ifan application (rogue application) has been created which always setsthe resident application to a rest state, the user will become unable tocontrol the execution state. Therefore, state transitions from theactive state to the rest state are prohibited.

State transitions based on functions previously included in the residentapplication are essentially determined by the resident application anddo not give rise to problems of the kind described above. Therefore,state transitions of this kind may be executed as exceptions, regardlessof whether or not there is a corresponding instruction from the inputsection 3. Thereby, if the execution state is transferred on the basisof an instruction from the input section 3, it is possible to save powerin a precise manner according to the wishes of the user. Furthermore, ifthe execution state is transferred in accordance with a functioncontained in a resident application, then it is possible to prevent thewasteful power consumption of the mobile telephone 1 over a long time,without an instruction from the input section 3.

Furthermore, similarly to T6-T8, in any one of the execution states,namely, the non-active state, active state or rest state, the controlsection 2 can terminate the resident application in accordance with ashutdown instruction from the input section 3 (S5).

The resident application can also be terminated forcibly by means of anoperation by the user. In the case of forced termination, the controlsection 2 causes the display section 5 to display a confirmation screen.On this confirmation screen, the user is able to select a desiredinstruction from the following three types of instructions. Namely, theuser can select a desired instruction from: (1) an instruction forterminating the resident application and cancelling the standby start-upsetting, (2) an instruction for cancelling the forced termination andcontinuing execution of the resident application, and (3) an instructionfor temporarily closing down and then restarting the residentapplication.

FIG. 3A shows one example of a display screen prior to key input in anactive state. As shown in FIG. 3A, display data 51 indicating changes instock prices is shown on the display section 5. The display data 51 ismoving image data that is updated automatically at prescribed intervals(for example, every 10 seconds). The display data 51 comprises adesignated stock input region 51 a in the lower part of the screen. Thedesignated stock input region 51 a is used to input a number foridentifying the stock required by a user in monitoring changes in stockprices (hereinafter, called “designated stock number”).

When the display data 51 is shown, and the user inputs numerical data,such as “12345678”, as a designated stock number, to the designatedstock input region 51 a, then the display state illustrated by thedisplay data 52 in FIG. 3B will be obtained. In other words, in theactive state, since normal key inputs are accepted, the control section2 will execute processing for displaying the input data in theprescribed region of the display section 5, in accordance with keyevents received from the input section 3.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing one example of a display screen before keyinput in a non-active state. As shown in FIG. 4A, display data 53indicating changes in stock prices is shown on the display section 5.The display data 53 is moving image data that is updated automaticallyat prescribed intervals (for example, every 10 seconds). The displaydata 53 comprises a designated stock input region 53 a in the lower partof the screen. In the non-active state, the control section 2 onlydisplays the resident application and does not accept key events.Therefore, the designated stock number cannot be input to the designatedstock input region 53 a.

When the display data 53 is displayed, if the user performs a keyoperation which calls up a function for making a telephone call, thenthe display data 54 illustrated in FIG. 4B is shown on the displaysection 5. In other words, in the non-active state, key input to theresident application is refused, and key input to the native applicationis permitted. Therefore, in response to key events receive from theinput section 3, the control section 2 executes processing for readingout display data for an outgoing call screen, from the memory section 6,and displaying same. As a result, an outgoing call screen as illustratedin FIG. 4B is displayed on the display section 5.

FIG. 5A shows one example of a display screen immediately prior totransition to a rest state. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, display data 55indicating changes in stock prices is shown on the display section 5. Inthe execution state before transferring to the rest state (in otherwords, the non-active state or active state), the display data 55 isupdated automatically at prescribed time intervals (for example, every10 seconds).

Even if a function is executed and the resident application istransferred to a rest state whilst the display data 55 is being shown,the display data 55 immediately before this transition continues to beshown after the transition. FIG. 5B shows one example of a displayscreen after transferring to a rest state. In the rest state, thecontrol section 2 continues to display the same display data 56 as thedisplay data 55 at the time of the transition to the rest state, on thedisplay section 5. In other words, the control section 2 does not acceptkey events from the input section 3 and does not perform updateprocessing for the display data. Consequently, the power consumption ofthe mobile telephone 1 in the rest state is lower than in the non-activestate.

As described above, according to the mobile telephone 1 of the presentembodiment, the control section 2 controls switching between a normalexecution state in which display data is displayed in an updateablefashion, and a rest state in which a resident application is temporarilyhalted. Since the application program is not closed down when in thereset state, it is possible to return to the normal execution statewithout requiring operations or time for restarting the application.Moreover, in the rest state, the power consumption of the mobiletelephone 1 is lower than in a normal execution state. Consequently,power consumption can be reduced whilst maintaining the convenience ofuse.

Furthermore, in contrast to control implemented via the OS, theexecution state of the resident application is controlled in accordancewith a function contained in the resident application itself. Therefore,the resident application is not halted or closed down, irrespectively ofthe execution state thereof. Moreover, in contrast to a case where theapplication is transferred to a power saving state by the OS, it ispossible for the resident application to return from the rest state,independently.

This embodiment of the present invention is one preferred example of amobile telephone 1 relating to the present invention, and the presentinvention is not limited to this embodiment.

For example, the aforementioned embodiment may be implemented asfollows. Namely, read out is permitted in the active state with respectto a portion of the functions contained in the resident application, andread out is prohibited, or read out is permitted but execution isprohibited, with respect to said portion of functions, in the non-activestate. Below, these functions are called “specific functions”.

Thereby, the following merits are obtained when the function indicatinguse of the backlight is set as a specific function, for example. Namely,in the active state, since the resident application accepts key inputs,user input operations can be facilitated by using the backlight tobrighten the display screen. However, in the non-active state, since keyinputs to the resident application are refused, there is little need tobrighten the display screen. If reading of functions instructing use ofthe backlight is permitted even in this case, then it is possible thatthe backlight may light up against the user's wishes, due to malfunctionor roguery. Therefore, by prohibiting read out of functions instructingthe use of the backlight when in the non-active state, it is possible toprevent wasteful power consumption, in advance.

As specific functions, besides functions instructing use of thebacklight, it is also possible to specify, for example, functions whichprompt the user for text input, functions which instruct externaltransmission of data, functions which play a incoming call melody,functions which instruct start-up of a browser, functions for accessingthe network, functions for calling up telephone functions, and the like.

Moreover, the foregoing embodiment was described with respect to theexample of a mobile telephone as a mobile communications terminal, butthe present invention can also be applied to information equipment, suchas PHS (Personal Handyphone System), PDA (Personal Digital Assistance),and the like.

Finally, a computer-readable storage medium on which an applicationprogram 61 relating to the present invention is stored (hereinafter,simply called “storage medium”) will be described. Here, a storagemedium is a medium which generates a varying state of energy, such asmagnetism, light, electricity, or the like, in accordance with thecontents of a program, for a reading device provided in a hardwareresource, such as generic computers, or the like, whereby the contentsof the program can be transmitted to the reading device in acorresponding signal format. Examples of such a storage medium includenot only media which are insertable in a computer, such as magneticdisks, optical disks, and magneto-optical disks, but also hard disks(HD) built permanently into a computer or a non-volatile semiconductormemory, such as integrally fitted firmware, or the like.

FIG. 6 is a compositional diagram of a storage medium relating to thepresent embodiment. The storage medium 20 is, for example, an opticaldisk, such as a CD (Compact Disk), magnetic disk, such as a floppy disk(FD), or magneto-optical disk (MO), or the like. The storage medium 20comprises a program storage region 20 a for storing programs. As shownin FIG. 6, an application program 61 is stored in this program storageregion 20 a.

As shown in FIG. 6, the application program 61 is constituted by a mainmodule 61 a for controlling processing, and an execution state controlmodule 61 b for executing processing for switching between a non-activestate for refusing key inputs during execution and a rest state which isa temporarily halted state. Furthermore, the execution state controlmodule 61 b performs processing for switching the execution statebetween a non-active state and a rest state, in accordance with statetransition instructions between a non-active state and a rest state.Moreover, the execution state control module 61 b performs processingfor switching the execution state between a non-active state and a reststate, in accordance with functions.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the composition of a computer forsending an application program 61 stored on a storage medium 20 to themobile telephone 1 (for example, a server device). As shown in FIG. 7,the computer 100 comprises a CPU 101, reading device 102, RAM (RandomAccess Memory) 103, which is a volatile semiconductor memory in which anOS (Operating System) is resident, a display section 104, such as adisplay, an input section 105, such as a mouse, keyboard, or the like,and a communications section 106, such as a communications board, or thelike. Here, when a storage medium 20 is inserted into the reading device102, the information recorded on the storage medium 20 can be accessedvia the reading device 102. The application program 61 stored in theprogram storage region 20 a of the storage medium 20 is transmitted fromthe call section 106 to the mobile telephone 1, and can be executed bythe mobile telephone 1.

Moreover, a composition may be adopted wherein the a part or all of theapplication program 61 is received and stored by the radiocommunications section 7, from another device, via a transmissionmedium, such as a communications circuit, or the like. Conversely, it isalso possible to adopt a composition wherein the application program 61is transmitted via a transmission medium and installed in anotherdevice.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, it is possible to perform controlfor switching between a non-active state for refusing key inputs to anapplication program being executed and a rest state for temporarilyhalting the aforementioned application program. Since an applicationprogram in a rest state is not closed down, it can be returned to anon-active state which permits updating of display data, withoutrequiring labour or time for restarting the application program.Moreover, in the rest state, the power consumption of the mobilecommunications terminal is lower than in the non-active state.Therefore, power consumption can be reduced whilst maintaining theconvenience of use of the mobile communications terminal.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A mobile communications terminal,comprising: a controller configured to control switching between anactive state of an application program, a non-active state of theapplication program, and a rest state of the application program; and aninput unit configured to instruct a state transition between said activestate, said non-active state and said rest state, wherein saidcontroller executes control for switching the execution state of saidapplication program between the active state, non-active state and therest state, in accordance with instructions from said input unit,wherein, in the active state of the application program, the applicationprogram is executed and permitted to process data inputted by a key anda native application program that controls a communication function ofthe mobile communication terminal is not permitted to process the datainputted by the key, in the non-active state of the application program,the application program is executed and not permitted to process datainputted by the key and the native application program that controls thecommunication function of the mobile communication terminal is permittedto process the data inputted by the key, and in the rest state of theapplication program, the application program is halted and not permittedto process data inputted by the key and the native application programthat controls the communication function of the mobile communicationterminal is permitted to process the data inputted by the key.
 2. Themobile communications terminal according to claim 1, wherein saidcontroller is configured to switch the execution state of saidapplication program in accordance with a function contained in saidapplication program.
 3. A method executed, by mobile communicationsterminal controls the execution state of an application program storedin said mobile communications terminal, comprising: controlling themobile communications terminal to switch between an active state of saidapplication program, a non-active state of said application program, anda rest state of said application program with a controller of the mobilecommunication terminal; and an instructing a state transition of saidmobile communications terminal between said active state, saidnon-active state and said rest state through an input unit of the mobilecommunications terminal, wherein, said controlling is executed forswitching the execution state of said application program between theactive state, the non-active state and the rest state, in accordancewith said instructing, in the active state of the application program,the application program is executed and permitted to process datainputted by a key and a native application program that controls acommunication function of the mobile communication terminal is notpermitted to process the data inputted by the key, in the non-activestate of the application program, the application program is executedand not permitted to process data inputted by the key and the nativeapplication program that controls the communication function of themobile communication terminal is permitted to process the data inputtedby the key, and in the rest state of the application program, theapplication program is halted and not permitted to process data inputtedby the key and the native application program that controls thecommunication function of the mobile communication terminal is permittedto process the data inputted by the key.
 4. A method according to claim3, wherein, said controlling includes switching the execution state ofsaid application program between the active state, the non-active stateand the rest state, in accordance with a function contained in saidapplication program.
 5. A tangible computer readable storage mediumencoded with instructions which when executed by a mobile communicationsterminal including an application program, causes said mobilecommunications terminal to implement a method comprising: switchingbetween an active state of said application program, a non-active stateof said application program and a rest state of said application programwith a controller of the mobile communication terminal; and switchingbetween the active state, the non-active state and the rest state, onthe basis of state transition instructions input from an externalsource, wherein in the active state of the application program, theapplication program is executed and permitted to process data inputtedby a key and a native application program that controls a communicationfunction of the mobile communication terminal is not permitted toprocess the data inputted by the key, in the non-active state of theapplication program, the application program is executed and notpermitted to process data inputted by the key and the native applicationprogram that controls the communication function of the mobilecommunication terminal is permitted to process the data inputted by thekey, and in the rest state of the application program, the applicationprogram is halted and not permitted to process data inputted by the keyand the native application program that controls the communicationfunction of the mobile communication terminal is permitted to processthe data inputted by the key.
 6. The mobile communications terminalaccording to claim 1, wherein an execution state immediately after startup is the non-active state.
 7. The mobile communications terminalaccording to claim 6, wherein a state transition from the non-activestate to the active state is executed on the basis of an execution stateswitching instruction.
 8. The mobile communications terminal accordingto claim 6, wherein a state transition from the active state to thenon-active state is performed on the basis of a function contained inthe application program.
 9. The mobile communications terminal accordingto claim 6, wherein a state transition from the non-active state to therest state is executed on the basis of a function contained in theapplication program.
 10. The mobile communications terminal according toclaim 6, wherein a state transition from the rest state to thenon-active state is executed when a prescribed condition is satisfied.11. The mobile communications terminal according to claim 10, whereinthe prescribed condition includes: opening a call section of the casingof a mobile telephone; elapsing of a rest time set in the active state;and reaching a set time according to a timer.
 12. The mobilecommunications terminal according to claim 6, wherein a state transitionfrom the rest state to the active state is executed on the basis of anexecution state switching instruction.
 13. The mobile communicationsterminal according to claim 6, wherein a termination of the applicationin the non-active state occurs in accordance with a shutdowninstruction.
 14. The mobile communications terminal according to claim6, wherein a termination of the application in the active state occursin accordance with a shutdown instruction.
 15. The mobile communicationsterminal according to claim 6, wherein a termination of the applicationin the rest state occurs in accordance with a shutdown instruction. 16.The mobile communication terminal of claim 1, wherein a transition fromthe active state directly to the rest state is prohibited.
 17. Themethod of claim 3, wherein a transition from the active state directlyto the rest state is prohibited.
 18. The tangible computer readablestorage medium of claim 5, wherein a transition from the active statedirectly to the rest state is prohibited.
 19. The mobile communicationterminal of claim 1, wherein in the rest state of the applicationprogram, the application program is not permitted to perform updateprocessing of display data.
 20. The method of claim 3, wherein in therest state of the application program, the application program is notpermitted to perform update processing of display data.
 21. The tangiblecomputer readable storage medium of claim 5, wherein in the rest stateof the application program, the application program is not permitted toperform update processing of display data.